Editors: WebStorm & IntelliJ

Edit PagePage History

Setting up WebStorm or IntelliJ for use with node.js

Following the below steps will give you the following features:

1. Code completion recommendations
2. Run from editor
3. In-editor step debugging a la node-inspector

Note: Please remember, since JavaScript is a dynamic language, the code completion is typically over generous, and there are no guarantees that those properties or methods actually exist. Turning off Preferences > Languages & Frameworks > JavaScript > Weaker type guess for completions to limit the suggestions.

Steps:

1. Preferences > Languages & Frameworks > JavaScript:
   1. JavaScript language version => ECMAScript 6
   2. Prefer Strict mode => checked

2. Copy your node path to the clipboard

   $ which node | pbcopy # copy path into clipboard

3. Preferences > Languages & Frameworks > Node.js and NPM

   1. Node interpreter => [paste path from previous step]
   2. Sources of Node.js Core Modules => https://nodejs.org/dist/v4.0.0/node-v4.0.0.tar.gz (match to your installed version)

4. Click Apply at the bottom of the current Preferences window

5. In Preferences > Languages & Frameworks > JavaScript > Libraries, enable the following:

   • Node.js v4.0.0 Core Modules
   • ECMAScript 6
   • Node.js Globals

6. Click Okay at the bottom of the current Preferences window

7. Run > Edit Configurations... > Defaults > Node.js

   1. Node interpreter: => Same "Node interpreter" value from above (which node | pbcopy)
   2. Node parameters: => --harmony --use-strict
   3. Working directory: => Project root
   4. JavaScript file: => index.js or your main project file

Now you can freely add breakpoints in the gutter (the space just to the left of your code) and debug with Run > Debug (^D)! Super exciting!